Why we all must fight female genital mutilation

Cosmo speaks to campaigner and victim of FGM, Leyla Hussein about a new Government investigation

It's extremely difficult to comprehend that something as barbaric as female genital mutilation (FGM) is happening. But appallingly, the practice of cutting part of a female's genitals is far more common that you'd believe. Estimates so far have put the number of FGM victims in Britain alone at around 65,000 with a further 30,000 believed to be at risk.

We were horrified by these figures so welcome the news that the Government will be conducting an investigation into the full scale of FGM in Britain in order to put an end to it.

We spoke to campaigner and victim of FGM, Leyla Hussein, about the investigation. Leyla won a Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Award in 2010 for her tireless campaigning to raise awareness of FGM. She says it's definitely a move in the right direction but it's something that's taken over a decade to achieve:

"FGM used to be something people would tiptoe around; it was almost like people didn't want to discuss it because it was a 'cultural' thing – talk about political correctness gone mad! But this investigation shows that attitudes are changing. I've been campaigning for 11 years now and the Government can't pretend FGM isn't happening.

"Although this investigation is a step in the right direction, the Government needs to implement policies such as making specialist training mandatory for social workers, teachers and medical staff who deal with victims.

"Cosmo was the first media outlet that brought this issue to a wider audience and gave me a voice to tell my story. It's been a long road for me but I'm hopeful 2014 will bring new policies to fight FGM. "Every day I think to myself that if I can save one girl from this fate, then it's worth it. There are still PC attitudes that remain with people thinking this could be a religious issue or cultural issue but cutting a young girl is this horrific way is child abuse in black and white."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ministers believe that if they can find out the true picture of FGM in the country, they can then step up the battle against it, through more prosecutions, education campaigns, improved health services and better sharing of information between the NHS, social workers, teachers and police.

We'll be watching developments closely and hope that one day FGM will be eliminated for good. Sign Leyla's e-petition to stop FGM in the UK.